Rotary Mechanical Iron Pourer
I was a millwright at Central Foundry Division, Saginaw Malleable Iron Plant, in Saginaw, Michigan. In 1972, the first RMIP (Rotary Mechanical Iron Pourer) was installed on a new molding line. This iron pouring system was designed by Senior Engineer Ken Pol and Control Systems Analyst Bill Willis specifically for this molding line. I was one of the skilled trades members to be trained on the operation and maintenance of this equipment.
The RMIP was so successful that it was eventually installed on all existing molding lines in all GM foundries over the next few years. Ken Pol and Bill Willis received the Kettering Award for their work on this project. I had the privilege of working with these fine gentlemen during the construction of this system which was built by Robert's Corporation in Grand Ledge, Michigan and then maintaining this system for the next 15 years until my retirement in 1988.